Angel Hernandez said no recorded interview, only write down answers but says they didn’t have enough evidence to reverse call. #Athletics
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) May 9, 2013
As Slusser notes in subsequent tweets, this is baffling, inasmuch as reporters recording interviews is actually a benefit to the interview subject. If the reporter screws up, he or she is accountable and there is a clear record of what was actually said. I know Angel Hernandez is not big on accountability and getting things right via technology, but this is just strange.Well, maybe not too strange. There is at least some reason why someone may not want their interview recorded:
@stareagle @jonmorosi The only possible reason to deny recording is in order to have deniability. Which is troubling to me.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) May 9, 2013
Creating situations in which there is deniability is something an insecure person does. And if you’ve watched Angel Hernandez’s behavior when he gets in arguments with managers and players, you can tell he reeks of insecurity. Umpires who stand by their calls don’t get mad and touchy like he does. Umpires who know they screwed up don’t either. They either admit it or at least let the manager say what he wants so as not to compound the issue. Hernandez does neither of those things.
So, MLB is going to step in and make Hernandez explain himself, yes?I put in a request to speak with Angel Hernandez again and I am told that umpire supervisor Randy Marsh has declined the request. #Athletics
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) May 9, 2013
There is no transparency or apparent accountability for umpires. This is totally unacceptable. It’s one area where the NFL gets things right and baseball simply doesn’t. It has to change.
